Big Band Jazz with Bob Craig

Sunday, 7 to 8 pm

Bob Craig will take you on a musical journey through the evolution of Big Band Jazz, which started off with the heavy hitters including Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Stan Kenton. They opened the door for Claude Thornhill, Quincy Jones, Thad Jones, and Mel Lewis, who took Big Band Jazz to exciting new places. Bob will also throw in the soloists who became great bandleaders (Lionel Hampton, Gerry Mulligan, Dizzy Gillespie), and the more contemporary big bands--such as the Resonance Big Band, Mike Barone's Big Band, and the MHCC Jazz Band--who have done so much for jazz in the past few years.

On the anniversary of his 85th birthday this Sunday, we'll remember bandleader and trumpeter Maynard Ferguson on Big Band Jazz. Stan Kenton added the Canadian born trumpet titan in 1950 to his Innovations in Modern Music band. A few years later, he started his own band. We'll feature recordings from his Birdland Dream Band to Be Bop Nouveau. And of course those famous high-end solos! Sunday, May 5, 7 to 8 pm.

On a few occasions in his long life, the famed nonagenarian trumpeter Clark Terry has lead a big band. Listen to some wonderful recordings with Terry as conductor, and a couple of pianist Bill Evans' compositions this Sunday evening on Big Band Jazz, 7 to 8 pm. And in the birthday spotlight, it's Henry Mancini and Shorty Rogers. Join us!

By 1928, Earl Hines was jazz's most revolutionary pianist, for two good reasons. His right hand played lines in bright, clear octaves that could cut through a band. His left hand had a mind of its own. Hines could play fast stride and boogie bass patterns, but then his southpaw would go rogue — it'd seem to step out of the picture altogether, only to slide back just in time.

The man known as Q turned 80 on Thursday. Tune in on Sunday, March 17th at 7 pm to hear a few of his big band recordings from the '50s including his first with Lionel Hampton's band in 1951. Other birthdays this week: Les Brown, Grover Mitchell, and the 94th anniversary of Nat Cole's birth. You'll hear him with the Basie band, plus a few new releases.

Join us on the next two Sunday evenings, March 3rd and 10th from 7 to 8 pm, as Big Band Jazz has got the blues! You'll hear Big Band Blues from Count Basie, Gil Evans, Duke Ellington and many others. Wes Montgomery and Jimmy Smith will be adding their blues licks against big band arrangements.

This Sunday I'll present part 2 of our tribute to the great jazz pianists. We'll hear well-known classics like "Dat Dere", "Sister Sadie", "Round Midnight" and others played by bands lead by Jimmy Heath, Gil Evans, The City Rhythm Orchestra and more.

Join me for the second of two parts airing this Sunday from 7 to 8 pm.

Some great Top 40 songs from the 1960s will get the Big Band Jazz treatment this Sunday. Stan Kenton adds his touch to the Bobby Hebb's "Sunny." The Basie Band takes on a huge Ray Charles hit. And Maynard Ferguson provides his magic to "MacArthur Park." Also, we'll celebrate Gene Krupa's birthday. Join us on Sunday, January 12 at 7 pm.

Big Band Jazz has a sleighful of holiday favorites to deliver this Sunday evening. We'll deck the hour with songs of the season from Maynard Ferguson, Rob McConnell & The Boss Brass, to Stan Kenton and many more. Enjoy and have a wonderful holiday season!